Ever the intelligent artist Darmrau knows how to lighten the voice to create that distinctive soprano sound demanded by operetta – a light sparkling tone, spiralling coloratura and the story telling that is the sine qua non of a good chanson style...Kaufmann actually only partners Damrau on three tracks but is a revelation.

the German-language operettas draw out the right kind of appealing singing, some raggedness at the top of her voice apart. The Münchner Rundfunkorchester and conductor Ernst Theis make able colleagues.

The natural clarity and sweetness of Damrau’s soprano is a huge asset here...The results touch the heart as well as ravishing the palate: it’s early days, but I wonder if I’ve already found my record of the year?

a whistle-stop tour through seven decades of operetta history, taking in Vienna, Paris and Berlin along the way and featuring a couple of starry cameos which complement the leading lady’s dazzling vocalism and ready wit to perfection...this is the perfect album with which to welcome the New Year when the time comes, so pour a glass of something as sparkling as the performances and prepare to have your spirits lifted.